Is 26.7k a good salary for a single person?

[Bethditto1]

Who lives on their own.. this is in the Civil Service, this is for a person with no children.
Based on 37 hours. I think it's quite poor, just curious to know what people think?

I guess you need to work out your monthly expenses and then check how much you would have left on this salary.

Can you work remotely or hybrid? because then you could save on transport as well.

Also check career progression opportunities.

As other people have said it is close to the minimum wage so not a great salary...

Usually people who work in the public sector say that flexibility and pension are the main benefits rather than high salary.

Generally I do think employers need to wake up to the fact that the minimum wage is now higher and that because of that many jobs like the one you are looking at no longer seem attractive...

But the piece you’re missing is that they are living at home because they can’t afford not too. And that’s because, to answer your original question, it isn’t a ‘good’ wage.

Jobs /wages don’t take into account whether you have a mortgage or not, whether you live with your parents or not.

the only relevant stuff is how does it pay compared to other jobs you could do/be offered? If you think you meet the criteria for higher paid jobs then apply for them if you want a higher wage.

Depends on your outgoings doesn’t it, you keep banging on about the benefits not being relevant and then repeat the same question, only you know if it’s sufficient to cover your outgoings and lifestyle.

@Bethditto1 No, it's not a good salary for a single person. Not even for someone living with their parents.
It's barely above the minimum wage.
If it's a gateway to rapid progression then fine.

Thanks for your replies. I am looking elsewhere, I feel like the progression thing is oversold.

But wouldn’t it be sensible to take this whilst continuing to look elsewhere

Is the security worth it though at least these guys are being honest with you a lot of private companies Will blow smoke up your arse and tell you that there’s lots of progress progression and Keep dangling the carrot for you
But actually, there really isn’t. We are in very choppy waters at the moment. If it was me I’d be looking for security over anything else.

I'm 46, single, live in a Scottish city, mortgage free, and I'd struggle on that salary.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't consider it if other benefits (eg, pension) were good and there was the potential for (rapid) progression.

No, not at all

I was on more than this over 15 years ago at entry level grad scheme.

It is above minimum wage so probably reasonable for that type of role.

No it isn't great. I started as an agency AO and if you're interested in staying within CS you have to make the most of every opportunity to get something out of it to use for a personal statement. Also for the connevtions who can help with your applications. I spent 4 months as an agency AO and then got my permanent EO and now at 35 ready for my Grade 6. It can be done.

My biggest tip- apply for the bulk campaigns. Asylum (Home Office) often run them as they haemorrhage staff and they're located nationwide.

Are you currently working? How much do you earn?

You would be earning a higher income than around 38% of the population - equivalent to about 25.7 million individuals.

Every one has to start some where, MN is well out of whack.

https://ifs.org.uk/tools_and_resources/where_do_you_fit_in#tool-results-section

But if you can’t pay your mortgage on it, that doesn’t matter
pay is shocking at the minute, I’m seeing entry level wages and they’re wanting 3-5 years of experience

Not all civil service depts are the same.

If you are willing to say which dept, you might get some indication what the chances of progression actually are. In my place it works out that there have been large scale progression opportunities from AO to EO about every 12 months. Obviously it doesn't mean you will get promoted but you would have the opportunity to apply. EO to HEO is less frequent/smaller numbers but still regular.

I know people who work in a different dept and the likelihood of progression is much less.

So you might get more info if you say what the dept is.

It's not great given that you're 35 and you make less than what grads in their early 20s make.

I paid my mortgage on much less, when i changed my career at 43. I bought a smaller home that I could afford its as simple as that, if you cant afford a bigger home then don't own one.

Now I worked my way up the ladder again, I'm in a bigger home, with a decent pay.

No one cares what your mortgage is and it certainly has zero to do with how much you think you should be paid.

How much smaller do you want people to live in?!
have you seen house prices and mortgage rates, were the interest rates the same then ? A small 2 bed apartment (2nd bedroom fits a single bed) near me is renting for over £800pm and that’s in the NW

my mortgage is £650pm, I physically can’t get a smaller house/apartmebt

My flat is tiny, I haven't bought a massive place don't worry 😂
Im in the home office

Not sure why you're assuming people have bought massive homes 😂

What was your career path after uni? Did you go to uni? Is this current job a pay cut to what you're used to.

And you’re the type of ‘worker’ who has ruined it for everyone else! Bet you’re unionised up to your eyeballs in case you get pulled up though ?

I’m also an AO in the civil service with many years of experience. In my department AAs and AOs are paid 37 hours a week and only 3 or 4 years ago were given a pay rise that brought us up to NLW. AOs were then given I think it’s a 3% monthly allowance to differentiate between the two grades. Would I join the civil service now, no. Will I leave, no. Why? My eyes are now focused firmly on my pension. There are better paid jobs out there but there are other aspects of my job that make we want to stay.

The relatively low salary is compensated for by the value of the pension at the end of service. I was a 40 year public servant who often had a second job to help with meeting the bills. My pension is quite generous.